Timeline: Top U.S. general lays out timeline of deadly Niger attack

Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, held a briefing for reporters at the Pentagon in which he detailed the attack, which led to the deaths of four U.S. military personnel.

The following is the timeline Dunford provided:

Tuesday, Oct. 3

Early morning - Twelve members of a U.S. Special Operations task force and 30 Nigerien forces depart Niamey, Niger, to an area near the village of Tongo Tongo about 55 miles (85 km) to the north.

Wednesday, Oct. 4

Morning - Patrol begins to return to base in Niamey

Midmorning - Patrol begins to take fire

About an hour after the start of the firefight, the patrol requests support. Dunford said he thought the delay in calling for support was likely because the unit thought it could handle the situation without outside help.

Minutes later - Drone arrives overhead, providing live video

Within one hour of the call for support - French Mirage jets arrive overhead

Later that afternoon - French attack helicopters and a Nigerien quick-reaction force arrive

During firefight - Two U.S. soldiers are wounded and evacuated by French troops

Evening - Three U.S. soldiers killed in action are evacuated. Sergeant La David T. Johnson is missing. Five Nigerien troops are also killed

Thursday, Oct. 5

Operations continue in the area, but Dunford on Monday offered no specific details

Friday, Oct. 6

Evening - Johnson's body is found and later evacuated

(Reporting by Washington newsroom; Editing by Peter Cooney)